US 6,566,039 B1 · Variable data lithographic printing device and method

Abstract

A variable data lithographic printing device comprises surrounding a printing cylinder a photosensitive layer coater, an exposure source, optionally a developer, an inking applicator, optionally a transfer system, and optionally an eraser. During printing operation, each surface areas of the rotating cylinder continuously undergo the cycle of coating, imagewise exposure, optionally developing, inking, printing of inked imaging to the receiving medium, and optionally erasing processes. The developing means can be omitted if an ink and/or fountain solution developable photosensitive layer is used. In an alternative design, the cylinder is replaced with a continuous supply of a ribbon with lithographic substrate surface. In another alternative design, the cylinder and the coater are replaced with a continuous supply of a pre-sensitized ribbon comprising on a substrate a photosensitive layer.

Claims38

Dependent claims

A variable data lithographic printing device comprising:

(a) a printing cylinder;
(b) a coating means for depositing a photosensitive layer on the cylinder surface, wherein said photosensitive layer is capable of hardening upon exposure to an actinic radiation and exhibits an affinity or aversion substantially opposite to the affinity or aversion of said cylinder surface to at least one printing liquid selected from the group consisting of ink and an abhesive fluid for ink;
(c) an exposure means for exposing the photosensitive layer on the cylinder surface with the actinic radiation according to digital imaging information to form hardened areas in the exposed areas and non-hardened areas in the non-exposed areas;
and
(d) an inking means for applying ink or both fountain solution and ink to the cylinder surface;
(e) wherein the means (b) to (d) are mounted proximate the cylinder surface and sequentially arranged along the cylinder surface in the rotating direction of the cylinder;
and each means of (b) to (d) completes its designed function to the cylinder surface areas in the designed printing width which pass by said means in each single pass during printing operation.

4 more elements

A method variable data lithographic printing, comprising:

(a) providing a lithographic printing device comprising (i) a printing cylinder, (ii) a coating means for depositing a photosensitive layer on the cylinder surface, (iii) an exposure means, and (iv) an inking means for delivering ink or both fountain solution and ink, wherein the means (ii) to (iv) are mounted proximate the cylinder surface and sequentially arranged along the cylinder surface in the rotating direction of the cylinder;
(b) continuously rotating the printing cylinder;
(c) continuously depositing the photosensitive layer on the cylinder surface, said photosensitive layer being capable of hardening upon exposure to an actinic radiation and exhibiting an affinity or aversion substantially opposite to the affinity or aversion of said cylinder surface to at least one printing liquid selected from the group consisting of ink and an abhesive fluid for ink;
(d) continuously exposing the photosensitive layer on the cylinder surface with the actinic radiation to form hardened areas in the exposed areas and non-hardened areas in the non-exposed areas according to digital imaging information;
(e) continuously applying ink or both fountain solution and ink to the cylinder surface to form inked imaging on the cylinder surface;
and
(f) continuously lithographically printing images from said cylinder surface to a receiving surface.

4 more elements

A method of variable data lithographic printing, comprising:

(a) providing a lithographic printing device comprising (i) a printing cylinder, (ii) a coating means for depositing a photosensitive layer on the cylinder surface, (iii) an exposure means, and (iv) an inking means for delivering ink or both fountain solution and ink, wherein the means (ii) to (iv) are mounted proximate the cylinder surface and sequentially arranged along the cylinder surface in the rotating direction of the cylinder;
(b) continuously rotating the printing cylinder;
(c) continuously depositing a photosensitive layer on the cylinder surface, said photosensitive layer being soluble or dispersible in ink and/or fountain solution, capable of hardening upon exposure to an actinic radiation, and exhibiting an affinity or aversion substantially opposite to the affinity or aversion of said cylinder surface to at least one printing liquid selected from the group consisting of ink and an abhesive fluid for ink;
(d) continuously exposing the photosensitive layer on the cylinder surface with the actinic radiation to form hardened areas in the exposed areas and non-hardened areas in the non-exposed areas according to digital imaging information;
(e) continuously applying ink or both fountain solution and ink to the cylinder surface to remove the non-hardened areas of said photosensitive layer and to form inked imaging on the cylinder surface;
and
(f) continuously lithographically printing images from said cylinder surface to a receiving surface.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Variable data lithographic printing device and method

Life of this patent

Variable data lithographic printing device and method

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims38